For some of these restaurant recommendations, it’s too late to get a reservation, but for others, who knows? So if you’re the going out on V-Day type, here are some places worth the splurge and others that don’t take advantage of your romantic side by jacking up prices. BUT! To be fair, a restaurant person I know recently pointed out to me that restaurants get hit hard on Valentines Day because they’re only selling tables of two, which means they make less money overall and servers have to handle more tables. really, it’s a restaurant nightmare of a holiday. So tip your server, buy that extra wine pairing, dessert or appetizer, whether that means nachos or foie gras.
Plateau
Les Trois Petits Bouchons, 4669 St. Denis St.
I’m sure it’s too late for this place, but heck, you should book now for next year (or next week). Sit downstairs in this bistro/wine bar where empty bottles of natural, biodynamic and private import are embedded in the walls. Princess scallops and Champagne. Buttery tartiflette and the Loire Valley. Duck confit salad and Beaujolais. But who am I to suggest anything? Trust the sommeliers.
Renard Artisan Bistro, 330 Mont-Royal Ave. E.
It’s definitely booked, too, but see instructions above. You could move to the Plateau for this restaurant, for goodness sake. Dinner is all bistro, with one exemplary server, a small open kitchen and a feeling of being part of the elegant family. Fresh bread before Quebec bison with a blackcurrant ketchup, smoked mussels in homemade ravioli, veal liver carpaccio with tarragon and apples and straight-up beef tartare.
Le Majestique, 4105 St-Laurent Blvd.
Maybe, just maybe if you walk in here at 5pm you can sit at the bar like I did on New Year’s Eve. Couples aren’t going to show up before 7pm anyway, right? This is the former chef de cuisine at Toqué!’s new place and it’s living a glory moment right now while foodies flock to the new establishment. Oysters. Campari punch. Repeat.
Restaurant Maïs, 5439 St. Laurent Blvd.
Maïs used to not take the reservations, but now you’re out of luck. Arctic char tacos with avocado and pickled cabbage. Albacore tuna ceviche. Margaritas.
Big in Japan Bar, 4175 St. Laurent Blvd.
Cocktails! If you’ve never been here before, note the address because you’ll walk past it at least twice before finding the door. It’s maybe even sexier than Philémon Bar because of the twinkling lights and wrapped tables and bars. You can also snack on curry-braised pork belly and salty-savoury Japanese okonomiyaki pancakes. But it’s really about the drinks here. Classics meet innovation.
Old Port
Philémon Bar, 111 St. Paul St. W.
Another of my favourite wine bar options (and one where you can maybe still find a seat?) is Philémon Bar. It’s into charcuterie, too, with some marinated artichokes and goat cheese sourdough nibbles and spicy sausage to balance the awesome wines. Grab a booth if you’re into talking only to your date. Sit at the bar if you like a three-way with the bartender.
Mile End
La Buvette Chez Simone, 4869 Park Ave.
Walk on it to La Buvette. It’s super sexy but a mix of casual and upscale. DIY-charcuterie platters with cheese, olives, nuts and my favourite roast chicken in the city (it’s simple with tarragon and roasted vegetables and it’s completely affordable to boot). And, of course, fresh baguette and an incredible wine list of cool options by-the-glass, half and full bottle.
Lola Rosa, 4581 Park Ave.
Vegetarians! I didn’t forget you! The Lola Rosa on avenue du Parc is one of the nicest all-veg spots for a date. It’s not super fancy, but neither it’s not Snack ‘n’ Blues either. Quinoa bowls, veggie tajins with apricots and almonds, Thai green curry, hemp burgers and chickpea fries.
Le Cagibi, 5490 St. Laurent Blvd.
Even less fancy, but just as warm and comforting veggie-style is Le Cagibi. Head to the back room for live music from progressive rockers Kyasma. Nachos. Chili. Double-decker chocolate cake. Mulled wine.
South West
Nora Gray, 1391 St. Jacques St.
Oooh…Nora Gray. All that slow-cooked Italian fair just shouts “romantic.” It’s all comforting pastas and braised meat with gorgeous wines and cocktails. Cornish hen. Polenta. Porchetta. Have an amaro for dessert (a sweet, bitter digestivo). Bet you can’t get a reservation now, but keep it in mind for a truly romantic occasion. Like Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday…
Satay Brothers, 3721 Notre-Dame St. W.
No reservations required! So get here early for steamed buns, laksa soup and satay! There are two bars now, meaning more opportunities to chat with Alex, Marco and Phil.
NDG
Jardin Iwaki, 5887 Sherbrooke St. W.
NDG has a lot going for it thanks in part to this Japanese haven. Don’t come here for sushi. Come for soba noodles, seared tuna, jellyfish, simple seafood soups and petite sweets for $27. You can get sushi if you order it two days in advance. So, next year.
Villeray
Tandem, 586 Villeray St.
Here’s a BYOB that’s actually not overpriced for the quality and quantity of food you get. Tomorr’w special menu isn’t cheap, but you can drag along your own bottle, making the $75 seven-service menu seem more reasonable. It’s all foie gras torchon, filet mignon, scallops, bisque, tuna, cheese fondue and molten chocolate cake. Can you even eat that much? Should you? Is it weird to ask for a doggie bag of the third, fourth and fifth courses?
Downtown
Europea, 1227 Mountain St.
Good luck getting in here now, but probably everyone that did get a reservation is getting engaged. Dinner is a show, with a little molecular gastronomy, a little clay-bowl breaking and a lot of perfectly cooked bursts of flavours. Tasting menu. Wine pairing. Cornish hen.
Photo credits:
Tandem: Photos of filet mignon and foie gras courtesy of Tandem restaurant
Big in Japan Bar: Photo by Dominique Lafond.
Philémon Bar: Photo of bar courtesy of Philémon Bar
Lola Rosa: Photos of quinoa plate and chocolate dessert by crilaphotographie
Maïs: Photo of fish tacos courtesy of Restaurant Maïs
Le Cagibi: Photo of café courtesy of Le Cagibi
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